Senior Policy Analyst

Ministry of Social Development; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 114,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Whaikaha in Wellington is seeking two Senior Policy Analysts to advance inclusive policies for disabled people, focusing on employment outcomes or education transitions.

You will work across government, lead evidence-based policy development, mentor teammates, and help implement the New Zealand Disability Strategy, with fixed-term and permanent roles.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to develop and lead evidence-based policy in complex systems.
• Strong knowledge of policy and government processes, including Cabinet and Ministerial decision-making.
• Excellent relationship-building and collaboration skills.
• Ability to analyse complex issues and communicate clearly and accessibly.
• Experience in employment or education policy is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy advice and engagement around employment outcomes for disabled people.
• Lead policy advice around tertiary education and transitions for disabled young people.
• Support colleagues working on early childhood policy and education.
• Collaborate with agencies to implement the New Zealand Disability Strategy across government.
• Develop and demonstrate strategic, cross-government policy work and guidance.

Skills

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Clear communication

Cabinet processes

Job description

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Help shape an inclusive Aotearoa where disabled people thrive.

Join our policy team and work across government to ensure policies reflect the voices and aspirations of disabled people.

Mō te tūnga | About the roles

This is an opportunity to work with a team focused on enabling disabled peoples’ economic participation and human capability across their lives.

We have 2 Senior Policy Analyst roles:

• 1 x permanent
• 1 x fixed term until August 2027.

The reason for the fixed term role is to backfill one of our Senior Policy Analysts who is on an internal secondment.

You will either lead our policy advice and engagement around:

• lifting employment outcomes for disabled people; or
• tertiary education and transitions for disabled young people from school to further education and employment.

There will also be opportunities to support colleagues working on early childhood policy and education.

You’ll get to develop and demonstrate your ability to work strategically and collaboratively across government by:

• Working with government agencies to support the implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy.
• Contributing to other cross-government policy work to improve outcomes for disabled people.
• Collaborating with agencies to strengthen disability perspectives in policy development.
• Supporting the professional development of your teammates.

You bring:

• Proven ability to develop and lead evidence-based complex policy development and work through ambiguity in complex systems.
• Strong knowledge of policy and government processes, including navigating Cabinet and Ministerial decision processes.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and a collaborative approach.
• Ability to analyse complex issues and communicate clearly in accessible ways.
• Confidence in supporting team members through collaboration, quality assurance and coaching.
• Commitment to understanding the diverse lived experience of disabled people and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Experience in employment or education policy is an advantage but not essential.

We encourage applications from Deaf and disabled people, Turi Māori, tāngata whaikaha Māori, and those with lived experience. If you’re passionate about inclusion and ready to learn, we’d love to hear from you.

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $113,725.00 - $138,071.00

At Whaikaha, we work with government, businesses, and communities to create real change for Deaf and disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori.

We value wellbeing and provide a supportive, inclusive environment.

The positions are based in Wellington.